Box for mailing a plurality of classes of merchandise



July 15, 1941. M. P. JUNKIN 2,249,657

BOX FOR MAILING A PLIjRALITY OF CLASSES OF MERCHANDISE Filed Sept. 26, 1939 ((T I I PARGEL I POSTAGE LETTER H I Po.s TAGE W/T/VESS:

Patented July 15, 1941 sip BOX FOB MAILING A PLURALITY OF CLASSES OF MERCHANDISE Malcolm P. Junkin, Lansdcwne, Pa., assignor to Louis Wolf, Elkins Park, Elias Wolf, Dresher, Howard A. Wolf, Jenkintown, and Walter 'L. Wolf, Rydal, Pa., copartners, trading and doing business as National Metal Edge Box Company Application September 26, 1939, Serial No. 296,541

3 Claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a packaging container so constructed as to be especially adapted for mailing both letters and merchandise, and which will require only the same postage that would be required to post the two classes of mailing matter separately. Heretofore it has been customary, when mailing matter of different classes in one package, to pay the postage required for the higher class matter on the whole package, the weight of which is usually multiple times the weight of the first class matter, thereby making the cost of transporting such combination classes of mailing matter very expensive, and prohibitively so when the package is mailed as advertising matter. The package embodying my invention is especially adapted to receive lower class matter (e. g., merchandise) and higher class matter (e. g., a letter enclosed in a sealed envelope) in such manner that, if the postage required to pay for each class of mailing matter is separately affixed thereto, the postal authorities will accept the same as containing adequate postage.

The invention is especially adapted for use as an advertising medium. For example, the package may contain medical supplies and a personal letter to each physician to whom the package is mailed.

The invention is capable of difierent embodiments, one preferred construction being shown in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pasteboard box embodying my invention, the box being closed and ready, after having postage applied, for mailing.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the box with the lid thereof open and showing the inside cover for the contained merchandise.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the closed box after the insertion therein of the first class mailing matter.

A box body a is provided with end flanges b, b, a tab 0 projecting from the central part of the upper edge of the rear wall and a fiat lid d hinged to the upper edge of the front wall. The rear edge of the lid is provided with tabs e, e extending from opposite ends toward the center and at their inner ends interlocking with the tab 0 to hold the lid in closed position.

Within the box body a, is an inside closure f for the contents of the box, the same comprising a top provided with end and side flanges g, the latter being of less width (measured in the direction of the depth of the box body) than the width (measured in the same direction) of the sides and ends of the box body a. A small part of the area of the box is cut away to form a rectangular opening it having tabs i which may be bent down to provide a receptacle for a small box (not shown) having horizontal dimensions adapted to fit the opening h.

The shallow space between the top f and the lid (1 is intended for the reception of an envelope and letter enclosed therein. I This envelope :1: may be held in place by means of tabs k: on the inside cover 1.

The space enclosed by the box body a and inside cover (with the exception of the space below opening h) is intended for the accommodation of any small articles of merchandise, while the space aligning with opening it is intended to accommodate other small articles of merchandise, for example, a small box containing samples of the merchandise in the remainder of the box space. Such small box should be open at the top, or covered with a transparent top, to enable the ready inspection of its contents.

The lid d may be provided with a window 112 through which the address on the envelope may be observed.

The face of the lid may be marked in any way to indicate where to place parcel or third class postage and where to place letter postage.

Alternatively, the first class postage stamp may be affixed directly to the envelope and the lid 11 may be provided with another open window, overlying the first class stamp, to permit stamp to be cancelled.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A box comprising a box body having end flanges and a central tab hinged to the center of one side edge, a lid hinged to the box body and having along its free edge end tabs adapted to interlock with said tab and hold the lid closed, an inside cover having flanges of less depth than the box body, so as to leave between the inside cover and the outside lid a shallow space for the reception of first class mailing matter, the cover having a small opening and tabs, hinged to the edges thereof, adapted to be bent down to form a container to receive and hold a separate small article insertable through said opening.

2. A box comprising a box body having a bottom, end walls, front and rear walls, a lid hinged to the upper edge of the front wall, flanges hinged to the upper edges of the end walls, a tab projecting from the central part of the upper edge of the rear wall, and tabs projecting from the outer edge of said lid, each of the. last named tabs extending from opposite ends of said lid toward each other and of such length, each substantially less than half the length of thebox, that their inner ends are interlockable with the said rear wall tab; and an inside closure, spaced from the hinged lid, for the box contents comprising a top having a transparent section and side and end flanges depending therefrom and inserted within the box body.

3. A box body adapted to receive merchandise, an outside. lid therefor, an inside cover for the contents of the box, means to position said cover 'said first class mailing matter and hold it in a definite position, the outside lid having an opening through which an address on the said first class mailing matter is observable.

MALCOLM P. JUNKIN. 

